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lexa_rae's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
thegeekybibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
I had this book for a while before I finally read it, because I didn't notice it was the second book in a series. That turned out to be a fortunate thing, however, because it gave me the excuse I needed to read the first book in the series ([b:The King of Bones and Ashes|34913737|The King of Bones and Ashes (Witches of New Orleans, #1)|J.D. Horn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1505329482l/34913737._SY75_.jpg|56176625]), which I enjoyed a great deal!
Having finished the first part of the trilogy, I was able to go into this book without a hitch, and even more eager to read it than I would have been, otherwise.
The cast of characters are very well-written... not to mention, sometimes downright creepy--I'm looking at YOU Babau Jean (but not in a mirror!). The story was quite enjoyable and moved along at a steady pace, and by the time I reached the end, I was eager to read the finale, [b:The Final Days of Magic|40773472|The Final Days of Magic (Witches of New Orleans, #3)|J.D. Horn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1531217772l/40773472._SY75_.jpg|63466246].
Even though I'm stopping short of rating this book at 5 stars, I definitely recommend it (and the entire Witches of New Orleans trilogy, in fact) if you enjoy reading books about witches.
I received an advance reading copy of this book courtesy of 47North via NetGalley.
Having finished the first part of the trilogy, I was able to go into this book without a hitch, and even more eager to read it than I would have been, otherwise.
The cast of characters are very well-written... not to mention, sometimes downright creepy--I'm looking at YOU Babau Jean (but not in a mirror!). The story was quite enjoyable and moved along at a steady pace, and by the time I reached the end, I was eager to read the finale, [b:The Final Days of Magic|40773472|The Final Days of Magic (Witches of New Orleans, #3)|J.D. Horn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1531217772l/40773472._SY75_.jpg|63466246].
Even though I'm stopping short of rating this book at 5 stars, I definitely recommend it (and the entire Witches of New Orleans trilogy, in fact) if you enjoy reading books about witches.
I received an advance reading copy of this book courtesy of 47North via NetGalley.
roseredreads's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this book. This one suffered the same fault as the first, bad guy explains too much. I enjoy the characters, although in this one some of my favorites became a little muddy and altered from the first book. Like the first, Horn sets a good scene. My favorite bit about the series is the mythology and the setting that he creates. Looking forward to the third book.
bookishgurl's review
4.0
I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Book of Unwinding (Witches of New Orleans #2) by J.D. Horn from NetGalley and 47North in order to read and give an honest review.
After reading and reviewing The King of Bones and Ashes (Witches of New Orleans), the first in the series from Author J.D. Horn, I find although I didn't quite enjoy it as much as the first, I still found it to be a fantastic entry in the series.
As I mentioned in my review of book one, J.D. Horn has graced us with such strong, unique and multifaceted characters which you easily connect with, and this book was no exception. I love his ability to depict strong, flawed and resilient characters, especially the way his female characters come across. In this book, as with the last, there are quite a few characters and I appreciated the character list included at the beginning for a handy reference. Those who survived the last book are present and we also see the return of a certain feisty feline.
The story opens months after the massacre that occurs in The King of Bones and Ashes. Magic is still dwindling and the hunt is on for the Book of Unwinding. We learn of Alice's time on Dreaming Road and Daniel's battle to get her back. Natalie is learning more about her abilities and coming into her own. A serial killer is revealed when the author reveals the gruesome details of "The Dollhouse". Fleur holds a dinner party where a secret Manon has been hiding from Lisette is revealed and we get front row seats for the fallout that ensues. We also follow Evangeline as she struggles to cope with what she has become as well as meet a few new characters who will play an important role in the future books I am sure. My only issue in this book is some events seem to be drawn out and often it felt like too much was going on...it often lacked breathing room.
Sacred texts, warring witches, feisty felines, bitchy birds and hidden realms are again rampant in this entry and frankly, I loved it! I can't wait to see where some of the continuing plots lead us. I recommend reading book one before this one, in my opinion, it wouldn't make a great standalone. I recommend this to anyone looking for something that is unique and engrossing. I’m looking forward to reading the next in this series.
After reading and reviewing The King of Bones and Ashes (Witches of New Orleans), the first in the series from Author J.D. Horn, I find although I didn't quite enjoy it as much as the first, I still found it to be a fantastic entry in the series.
As I mentioned in my review of book one, J.D. Horn has graced us with such strong, unique and multifaceted characters which you easily connect with, and this book was no exception. I love his ability to depict strong, flawed and resilient characters, especially the way his female characters come across. In this book, as with the last, there are quite a few characters and I appreciated the character list included at the beginning for a handy reference. Those who survived the last book are present and we also see the return of a certain feisty feline.
The story opens months after the massacre that occurs in The King of Bones and Ashes. Magic is still dwindling and the hunt is on for the Book of Unwinding. We learn of Alice's time on Dreaming Road and Daniel's battle to get her back. Natalie is learning more about her abilities and coming into her own. A serial killer is revealed when the author reveals the gruesome details of "The Dollhouse". Fleur holds a dinner party where a secret Manon has been hiding from Lisette is revealed and we get front row seats for the fallout that ensues. We also follow Evangeline as she struggles to cope with what she has become as well as meet a few new characters who will play an important role in the future books I am sure. My only issue in this book is some events seem to be drawn out and often it felt like too much was going on...it often lacked breathing room.
Sacred texts, warring witches, feisty felines, bitchy birds and hidden realms are again rampant in this entry and frankly, I loved it! I can't wait to see where some of the continuing plots lead us. I recommend reading book one before this one, in my opinion, it wouldn't make a great standalone. I recommend this to anyone looking for something that is unique and engrossing. I’m looking forward to reading the next in this series.
omgbeckyann's review
4.0
i love the storytelling that is happening in these books. i started it a year and a half ago after reading the first and found myself easily drawn back into the worlds of the witches of new orleans. it’s full of mystery and drama and suspense and even a little humor. i’d give it five stars if not for the sheer amount of characters focused on. i realize they’re all likely going to converge at the end but bouncing around from viewpoint to viewpoint is exhausting, especially when you can’t read it all in one sitting.
aperfectmjk's review
2.0
So, I'm starting to think that maybe this series just isn't for me. When I picked up the first in the series, [b:The King of Bones and Ashes|34913737|The King of Bones and Ashes (Witches of New Orleans, #1)|J.D. Horn|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1505329482s/34913737.jpg|56176625], I was looking for a good supernatural read, and I thought this series would definitely meet that requirement. While I wasn't over the moon about the first one, I was intrigued enough to continue onward. I've got to say though, this one definitely didn't deliver.
Overall, this novel lacks in suspense and intrigue. There was no mystical appeal for me. As with the first one, there are so many characters, ones that I might add don't really stand out from one another. There was only one character that I found to be at all a stand-out, and sadly, poof, that character is gone. Not sure if ever to return.
What the heck is up with the second half of this novel? Once Alice has been freed from the Dreaming Road it's like the book was put on fast forward. I wonder if the publisher was pushing Mr. Horn to get the book finished and he just pieced this together to give them a finished product. At least that's how it seems anyway. I have to admit, I started to lose interest at multiple points in this novel because it just doesn't flow well for me.
I'm not sure if I want to move forward with this series... turns out it's not really what I was hoping for, it just doesn't pull me in. I can see how it appeals to others though.
I want to thank NetGalley, 47 North, and J.D. Horn for allowing me the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my review.
Overall, this novel lacks in suspense and intrigue. There was no mystical appeal for me. As with the first one, there are so many characters, ones that I might add don't really stand out from one another. There was only one character that I found to be at all a stand-out, and sadly, poof, that character is gone. Not sure if ever to return.
What the heck is up with the second half of this novel? Once Alice has been freed from the Dreaming Road it's like the book was put on fast forward. I wonder if the publisher was pushing Mr. Horn to get the book finished and he just pieced this together to give them a finished product. At least that's how it seems anyway. I have to admit, I started to lose interest at multiple points in this novel because it just doesn't flow well for me.
I'm not sure if I want to move forward with this series... turns out it's not really what I was hoping for, it just doesn't pull me in. I can see how it appeals to others though.
I want to thank NetGalley, 47 North, and J.D. Horn for allowing me the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my review.
theinstantreader's review
4.0
In the sequel to The King of Bones and Ashes, the witches of New Orleans are scrounging amongst themselves to find the tool that can save them all. If they don’t it will bring the end of magic. Unbeknownst to them, their fate lies in the hands of someone not in their dimension. In J.D.Horn’s The Book of the Unwinding expands the witches of New Orleans in a way that felt enchanting and at its heart reminded me fof a Charmed episode. It was riveting, and I am glad I had the opportunity to hear the audible version as well as read along on my kindle. The writing was comfortable for me to follow along when reading from the narrator. I enjoyed the relationships featured as well as the expansion of its world building. The book was engaging and entertaining and I am definitely looking forward to the next novel of J.D. Horn as well as many more series of books to come. Thank you Netgalley for giving me this copy to review. I highly recommend this novel to fans of the television show Charmed and The Vampire Diaries.
adancewithbooks's review
3.0
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the review copy in exchange for an honest review
While I wasn’t the biggest fan of the first book I was certainly interested enough to want to continue. In places it was better than the first book, but in other places it certainly wasn’t and so I am left with the same rating.
There is so much potential here and it certainly isn’t the writing style by J.D. Horn that is the problem. The writing is dark and atmospheric. I think it captures well the feeling of New Orleans as its own entity almost. But that isn’t enough to make a book.
Plot wise this second book is lacking. For me it felt like there was no climax nearing the end. It just trudged on in the dragging pace that was set at the start of the book. There weren’t any big revelations. There were a few story lines here and there with Alice’s fate after book one for instance, and Evangeline’s fight. But they weren’t big enough to carry the whole book. There was no true climax to them and in parts (especially considering Evangeline) things were confusing. It just feels like a set up for the next one. The revelation at the end was certainly interesting. However it is hard to care at this point. We also aren’t entirely getting great reasons as to why the magic is diminishing.
Added on to that is that I don’t truly care about any of these characters. There for sure was some character development in this book. There was one that I cared about but not anymore. What happened just makes me want to shout into the void. Alice is just a lost girl really. Nobody but Daniel seems to truly want to protect her which is kind of sad. Nathalie is more present in this book and she is an interesting addition. I just don’t think we’ve delved that deep into her.
Evangeline is a strong woman but I don’t care for her one bit. The more we get to know her, the more I hope she ends up dead at the end of all of this. Lisette is also not a favorite but I think she got dealt the short end of the stick in this one. Her children however seem sweet and I hope that they end up happy. I think following Fleur more would have been interesting. Her mother makes some questionable decisions.
The romance is also questionable to me about soulmates and being meant to be because they had seen in the future with at least two romances. I love that there is some diversity there. Alice and Nathalie are lesbians. I just don’t like how this is being forced on Alice, soulmate wise. I’m glad that she decided to take a few steps back from it.
Having said that all though I can’t turn my back on this series either and I am still interested in reading it. J.D. Horn truly is a great writer. And he can do character developments. But his plots need to be tighter.
While I wasn’t the biggest fan of the first book I was certainly interested enough to want to continue. In places it was better than the first book, but in other places it certainly wasn’t and so I am left with the same rating.
There is so much potential here and it certainly isn’t the writing style by J.D. Horn that is the problem. The writing is dark and atmospheric. I think it captures well the feeling of New Orleans as its own entity almost. But that isn’t enough to make a book.
Plot wise this second book is lacking. For me it felt like there was no climax nearing the end. It just trudged on in the dragging pace that was set at the start of the book. There weren’t any big revelations. There were a few story lines here and there with Alice’s fate after book one for instance, and Evangeline’s fight. But they weren’t big enough to carry the whole book. There was no true climax to them and in parts (especially considering Evangeline) things were confusing. It just feels like a set up for the next one. The revelation at the end was certainly interesting. However it is hard to care at this point. We also aren’t entirely getting great reasons as to why the magic is diminishing.
Added on to that is that I don’t truly care about any of these characters. There for sure was some character development in this book. There was one that I cared about but not anymore. What happened just makes me want to shout into the void. Alice is just a lost girl really. Nobody but Daniel seems to truly want to protect her which is kind of sad. Nathalie is more present in this book and she is an interesting addition. I just don’t think we’ve delved that deep into her.
Evangeline is a strong woman but I don’t care for her one bit. The more we get to know her, the more I hope she ends up dead at the end of all of this. Lisette is also not a favorite but I think she got dealt the short end of the stick in this one. Her children however seem sweet and I hope that they end up happy. I think following Fleur more would have been interesting. Her mother makes some questionable decisions.
The romance is also questionable to me about soulmates and being meant to be because they had seen in the future with at least two romances. I love that there is some diversity there. Alice and Nathalie are lesbians. I just don’t like how this is being forced on Alice, soulmate wise. I’m glad that she decided to take a few steps back from it.
Having said that all though I can’t turn my back on this series either and I am still interested in reading it. J.D. Horn truly is a great writer. And he can do character developments. But his plots need to be tighter.
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